Summary
Hydrocodone is most commonly prescribed in combination with acetaminophen (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab). When used recreationally or in high doses, the acetaminophen component poses serious risk of liver damage or failure. Respiratory depression is the primary cause of fatal overdose, particularly when combined with other CNS depressants. Hydrocodone is metabolized by CYP2D6 to hydromorphone, a more potent opioid. Tolerance develops rapidly, and withdrawal symptoms can be severe.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 5-10mg | 10-25mg | 25-40mg | 40mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 10-30 min | 30-60 min | 1-2 hrs | 2-4 hrs | 12 hrs | 240-0 min |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops within days of regular use; analgesic tolerance faster than respiratory depression tolerance
Reset
7–14 days for partial reset; full reset may take weeks — tolerance loss greatly increases overdose risk
Cross-tolerance
Effects
Positive
- Physical euphoria
- Pain relief
- Cough suppression
- Analgesia
Negative
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea
- Dry Mouth
- Sedation
- Itchiness
- Difficulty urinating
- Relaxant
- Pupil constriction
Positive
- Cognitive euphoria
- Anxiety suppression
- Euphoria
- Mood lift
- Cognitive Euphoria
- Anxiety Suppression
- Dream potentiation
Negative
- Constipation
- Compulsive redosing
- Dizziness
Positive
- Visual geometry
- Increased music appreciation
Negative
- Appetite suppression
- Decreased Libido
- Appetite Suppression
- Spatial disorientation
- Dulled perception
- Internal hallucinations
- Internal hallucination
- Visual and auditory hallucinations